A NEW STUDY HAS SHOWN COFFEE CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK OF EARLY DEATH

New breaking research suggests that have a cup, two, or even three may improve your health and help you live a longer, and happier life. In a new study with close to 20,000 participants, people who consumed at least four cups of coffee daily had a 64% lower risk of early death compared to those never or rarely consumed a cup of joe.

AGE MATTERS, DAILY INTAKE REQUIRED FOR GERIATRIC

The reduction in health risk was more significant once people reached the age of 45, suggesting that it may be even more beneficial to consume coffee as we get older. These findings echo the recent results of another large observational study, which found that drinkers appear to live longer, regardless of whether they consume regular or decaf.

BREAKING RESEARCH, COFFEE COMBATS DISEASES AND CANCERS

Coffee has also been shown to reduce the risk of many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, liver disease, colorectal cancer, Alzheimer’s and skin cancer, too. “Coffee is loaded with antioxidants,” said Joe DeRupo, a spokesman for the National Coffee Association. “Many are naturally occurring antioxidants found in the bean, while others are created during the roasting process. It’s these compounds that science links with positive effects in reducing the risk of several diseases.” Some of the compounds commonly found in coffee “have been related to better insulin sensitivity, liver function and reduced chronic inflammation,” said V. Wendy Setiawan, an associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and the lead author of one of the recent studies on consumption and longevity.

A CUP OF JOE COMES WITH CAUTION, CAFFEINE NOT GREAT FOR ALL

While coffee consumption may appear to be healthful for many, others should proceed with caution. Pregnant women, for example, should cautiously limit their intake of a caffeinated version.

“Current evidence suggests that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine up to 200 mg per day, the amount in a 12-ounce cup of joe, is not associated with increased risks for miscarriage or preterm birth,” said Dr. Joseph Wax, chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Obstetric Practice. “However, data are contradictory regarding these pregnancy outcomes when women consume more than 200 mg per day of caffeine.” Additionally, “there is insufficient evidence to draw any conclusion regarding the effects of caffeine on fetal growth.”

If you have any heart conditions, you should also limit your coffee and caffeine consumption. “Caffeine is an aggravator and accelerator of one’s heart rate,” said Dr. Vince Bufalino, a spokesman for the American Heart Association and senior vice president and senior medical director of Cardiology-AMG, Advocate Health Care, in Naperville, Illinois. “Those with atrial fibrillation (commonly known as irregular heartbeat) or hypertension should limit their caffeine intake. One to two cups daily is probably fine, but if you are sensitive, you should restrict all caffeine.”

Keep in mind that decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine. An 8-ounce cup can contain anywhere from 75 to 165 milligrams of caffeine, whereas decaffeinated contains an average of 2 to 7 milligrams per cup, depending on which study you read.